A gathering of those who met their match

Published 11:41 pm, Sunday, February 10, 2013

Gail Conti pins a corsage on her husband, Frank, before the Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Contis will be celebrating their 25-year wedding anniversary this May. less

Gail Conti pins a corsage on her husband, Frank, before the Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Contis will be celebrating their 25-year wedding anniversary ... more

Vagn Fausing whispers to his wife, May, during Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Fausings will be celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary on Feb. 12.

Vagn Fausing whispers to his wife, May, during Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Fausings will be celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary on Feb. 12.

Chris Munger, left, and Marge Munger hold hands during the Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Mungers will be celebrating their 50-year wedding anniversary this November. less

Chris Munger, left, and Marge Munger hold hands during the Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Mungers will be celebrating their 50-year wedding anniversary ... more

William and Barbara Symanko talk to each other during the reception after the Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Symankos will be celebrating their 65-year wedding anniversary this November. less

William and Barbara Symanko talk to each other during the reception after the Anniversary Mass at St. Leo Catholic Church in Stamford on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. The Symankos will be celebrating their 65-year ... more

STAMFORD -- As a teenager in the early 1940s, Stamford native William Symanko would visit the corner store owned by his future father-in-law, Anthony Cerulli, in the South End to see Barbara Cerulli. Anthony Cerulli would give him a broom to do some sweeping.

"They had the cleanest store in the South End," said William Symank, 87.

"That was when it was the dirty and glorious old South End," Barbara Symanko said.

Later, during World War II, Barbara Cerulli would send William Symanko care packages with candy, socks, and other comforts in Europe, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

In 1948, the couple tied the knot at Holy Name Church in Stamford. They will celebrate their 65th anniversary Nov. 20.

"It's been a very happy marriage and very blessed," Barbara Symanko said.

The Symankos and 14 other married couples celebrated Mass and renewed their marriage vows during the 11:30 p.m. service Sunday at St. Leo Roman Catholic Church on Roxbury Road, an annual tradition at the parish.

The invited couples, all of whom have been married 25 years or longer, had "been witness of God's love in the world" for a combined 600 years of matrimony, said the Rev. Leszek P. Szymaszek, who celebrated the Mass.

After the Mass, the invited couples were treated to a brunch in the parish hall and presented with a certificate recognizing the milestone of 25, 30, 35, 40 or more than 50 years of marriage.

In discussing the longevity of their unions, some expressed gratitude for help through trying times and finding the right person, as well as speaking of unexpected joys and challenges.

Paul and Ann Marie Fiscella were married in 1983. They have shared highs and lows, and felt blessed by sons Andrew, 17, and Paul, 23.

"We understand each other," Ann Marie Fiscella said. "We're happy and we realize that happiness is not what you have in the bank but the love you share."

Walter Cortese, 87, and Carole Cortese, 74, met in New York City, where he was an advertising executive and she his secretary.

Soon after marrying in 1958, the first of three children arrived as Walter Cortese was sidelined from traveling and work by aseptic necrosis, which hobbled him for nearly 30 months, Walter Cortese recalled. Carol Cortese never wavered in her support, Cortese said.

"When I met her I realized she was mature beyond her years, and I'd never met the type of woman who I thought would be the type of mother I would want for my children," Walter Cortese said. "I also hoped I would be the kind of husband and father she wanted."

Walter Cortese said his ailment turned out to be a "blessing in disguise," after he became an investment manager for Merrill Lynch, a job that allowed him to spend more time with his family.

"Right away I loved his honesty and his vitality," Carole Cortese recalled. "He was always very enthusiastic and positive."